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The original MIUI ROMs were based on Android 2.2.x Froyo and CyanogenMod 6 sources, and was initially developed in the Chinese language by Chinese startup Xiaomi Tech.[6] Xiaomi added a number of apps to enhance the basic framework; those include Notes, Backup, Music, and Gallery.[7]

Updates are usually provided over-the-air every Friday.[8] MIUI is then translated and ported into unofficial versions in other languages by independent developers and groups of fansites.

MIUI and Google Play Services
MIUI does not ship with Google Play Services in Mainland China. However, Xiaomi has been expanding its operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan , and outside China. MIUI releases for Android devices in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and countries outside of China such as in India, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia has Google Play Services and Google Apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Play Store pre-installed and functions as it would on any other Android device. MIUI global versions are Google certified.

Direct downloads for country specific release also contains Google Play Services and Apps.

MIUI's kernel was proprietary, and thus in breach of Linux kernel's GPL.[9][10] Due to criticisms, source code for certain components was released to GitHub on October 25, 2013.[11] Kernel sources for a number of devices including the Mi3, Mi4, MiNote, and Redmi series phone were released in March 2015.[12]

MIUI has also been criticized for being visually similar to iOS's UI as well as Samsung's TouchWizUI.[13]

Since MIUI V4, based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, Xiaomi added a virus scanning engine from partner company Tencent (formerly from Kingsoft, whose previous CEO was also Lei Jun) despite the opposition of many users. Methods of removing it have emerged in the MIUI's Chinese forum,[14] since the engine was proven not to be helpful.[15]

Also during the development of MIUI V4, Xiaomi started to remove Google services from their ROMs in order to build and monopolize its own environment of Xiaomi, including cloud services, paid themes and games (featuring MiCredit currency).[16] Later, during development of MIUI V5, nearly all Google services had been removed from the Chinese versions.[17]